Military aviation has played a significant role throughout history. In addition to these aircrafts playing a significant role in combat, they have been instrumental in the transportation of supplies and troops as well, allowing certain nations to establish dominance over various key strategic areas. Since World War II, aerial dominance has been a crucial factor in military engagements. When a military demonstrates its consistent high volume of production, it can illustrate the advantage in surpassing the enemy in numbers.
24/7 Tempo analyzed all-time aircraft production totals from Military Factory, which is an online repository of military vehicles, aircraft, and arms. Military aircraft that had more than 12,000 units produced are ranked based on their production runs, with additional details including the country of origin, year entered service, crew size, maximum speed, roles, and notable military service.
Many of the aircraft listed here were used extensively throughout World War II. Planes like the Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik, used by the Soviet Union and nicknamed the nickname “Flying Tank” due to its blend of armor protection, performance, and firepower, and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, used by the United States, that included roles in anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance and surveillance. Then there was the North American P-51 Mustang, one of the most widely produced with over 15,000 units manufactured. Initially serving as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 later transformed into a fighter-bomber and remains legendary to this day.
Aircraft played a significant role in the First World War but with technological advancements during the Second World War, their capabilities were greatly enhanced, leading countries to depend heavily on aircraft for bombing raids, surveillance, and transport. The planes listed here have played crucial roles in conflicts over the years, shaping the evolution of aerial combat and serving as inspiration for subsequent generations of military aircraft.
Newer generations of aircraft may not equal the production numbers of their predecessors, but with increased technological developments, their advanced capabilities may far exceed the models of yesteryear, increasing their impact when necessary.
Here are the top produced military planes of all time:
26. Grumman F6F Hellcat
- Number produced: 12,272
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1943
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, in interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, and in Maritime/Navy. It was capable of a max speed of 380 mph and had a crew size of one.
25. Vought F4U Corsair
- Number produced: 12,571
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
The Vought F4U Corsair was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, Maritime/Navy, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance. It was capable of a max speed of 446 mph and had a crew size of one.
24. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Boeing B-17F formation over Schweinfurt, Germany, on Aug. 17, 1943. (U.S. Air Force photo)
- Number produced: 12,731
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1937
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was most notably used during World War II, with roles in ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, airborne early warning, anti-ship, electronic warfare, search & rescue, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, and training. It was capable of a max speed of 287 mph and had a crew size of 10.
23. Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota)
- Number produced: 12,748
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
The Douglas C-47 (Skytrain/Dakota) was most notably used during World War II, with roles in ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, MEDEVAC, transport, and VIP service. It was capable of a max speed of 230 mph and had a crew size of three.
22. AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven
- Number produced: 13,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 2003
The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven was most notably used during the War in Afghanistan, with roles in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, special forces, and unmanned capability. It was capable of a max speed of 35 mph and had a crew size of zero.
21. Hawker Hurricane
Beautifully restored, this 1939 built Hurricane wears her own genuine 245 squadron markings, identical to those worn when she was shot down over Dunkirk on 31st May 1940. Operated by Anglia Aircraft Restorations, she is seen taxiing in after taking part in a mixed formation of 15 Spitfires and Hurricanes at the Imperial War Museum’s 2021 Battle of Britain Air Show. Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, UK 19th September 2021
- Number produced: 14,583
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Year entered service: 1937
The Hawker Hurricane was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter. It was capable of a max speed of 318 mph and had a crew size of one.
20. Boeing 737
- Number produced: 14,725
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1968
The Boeing 737 was most notably used during the Global War on Terrorism, with roles as a Military transport and in commercial aviation. It was capable of a max speed of 544 mph and had a crew size of two.
19. WACO Hadrian (CG-4)
The 101st Airbrone Division was reinforced with 12 glider serials on September 18, 1944. In this photo, Waco gliders are lined up on an English airfield in preparation for the next lift to Holland.
- Number produced: 14,972
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
The WACO Hadrian (CG-4) was most notably used during World War II, with roles as a military transport. It was capable of a max speed of 149 mph and had a crew size of two.
18. Junkers Ju 88
- Number produced: 15,183
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1939
The Junkers Ju 88 was most notably used during World War II, with roles in air-to-air support, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, anti-ship, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance . It was capable of a max speed of 317 mph and had a crew size of four.
17. North American T-6 Texan
- Number produced: 15,495
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1936
The North American T-6 Texan was most notably used during World War II, with roles in close-air support, training. It was capable of a max speed of 209 mph and had a crew size of two.
16. North American P-51 Mustang
- Number produced: 15,586
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
The North American P-51 Mustang was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, and training. It was capable of a max speed of 437 mph and had a crew size of one.
15. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
- Number produced: 15,660
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, and in ground attack (bombing, strafing, training, close-air support). It was capable of a max speed of 433 mph and had a crew size of one.
14. Douglas DC-3
- Number produced: 16,079
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1936
The Douglas DC-3 was most notably used during World War II, with roles in military transport, commercial aviation. It was capable of a max speed of 237 mph and had a crew size of two/three.
13. Yakovlev Yak-9 (Frank)
- Number produced: 16,769
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1943
The Yakovlev Yak-9 (Frank) was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance. It was capable of a max speed of 434 mph and had a crew size of one.
12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
- Number produced: 16,800
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1941
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter and in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance. It was capable of a max speed of 378 mph and had a crew size of one.
11. Beechcraft Bonanza
- Number produced: 17,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1947
The Beechcraft Bonanza was most notably used during the Vietnam War, with roles in transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, and training . It was capable of a max speed of 203 mph and had a crew size of one.
10. Antonov An-2 (Colt)
- Number produced: 18,000
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1947
The Antonov An-2 (Colt) was most notably used during the Korean War, with roles in close-air support, Maritime/Navy, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training. It was capable of a max speed of 160 mph and had a crew size of two.
9. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Fagot)
- Number produced: 18,000
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1949
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Fagot) was most notably used during the Korean War, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, and ground attack (bombing, strafing), training . It was capable of a max speed of 668 mph and had a crew size of one.
8. Consolidated B-24 Liberator
- Number produced: 18,482
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1941
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was most notably used during World War II, with roles in ground attack (bombing, strafing), anti-submarine warfare, transport, VIP service, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance . It was capable of a max speed of 290 mph and had a crew size of seven to 10.
7. Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (Wurger)
- Number produced: 20,000
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1941
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (Wurger) was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter and in ground attack (bombing, strafing, training. It was capable of a max speed of 426 mph and had a crew size of one.
6. Supermarine Spitfire
- Number produced: 20,351
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Year entered service: 1938
The Supermarine Spitfire was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, and in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance. It was capable of a max speed of 369 mph and had a crew size of one.
5. Cessna 182 (Skylane)
- Number produced: 23,240
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1956
The Cessna 182 (Skylane) was most notably used during the Vietnam War, with roles as an close-air support, MEDEVAC, search & rescue, commercial aviation, and training. It was capable of a max speed of 174 mph and had a crew size of one.
4. Messerschmitt Bf 109
- Number produced: 35,500
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1937
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was most notably used during World War II, with roles as an air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, and in intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance. It was capable of a max speed of 359 mph and had a crew size of one.
3. Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik (Bark)
- Number produced: 36,183
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1941
The Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik (Bark) was most notably used during World War II, with roles in ground attack (bombing, strafing) and close-air support. It was capable of a max speed of 258 mph and had a crew size of two.
2. Polikarpov Po-2 (Mule)
- Number produced: 40,200
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1929
The Polikarpov Po-2 (Mule) was most notably used during World War II, with roles in ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, MEDEVAC, search & rescue, Maritime/Navy, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, and training. It was capable of a max speed of 94 mph and had a crew size of two.
1. Cessna 172 (Skyhawk)
- Number produced: 44,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1956
The Cessna 172 (Skyhawk) was most notably used during the Vietnam War, with roles as a MEDEVAC, search & rescue, Maritime/Navy, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, and training. It was capable of a max speed of 186 mph and had a crew size of one.